A recent Argus Leader article features Midwest Alarm’s work with local Sioux Falls businesses who have installed surveillance and security equipment in response to over 60 break-ins in the last 3 months. Targets of the break-ins were primarily medical related clinics who may have high liability with break-ins due to legal exposure under HIPPA if…

Sioux City, IA – Midwest Alarm Company has agreed to a partnership with the Sioux City, IA School District to provide or replace over 380 cameras throughout 17 schools in the district. The new and upgraded cameras will help the school district improve district safety and keep teachers and students safe as well as…

Midwest Alarm Company has been voted the Local Best home security, automation, and smart home provider for the 10th year in a row. Local voters in Sioux Falls, SD, Sioux City, IA and Okoboji, IA voted and have named us the premier provider in the region for the last decade. The Local Best provides over…

Dakota Valley Schools Praise New Midwest Alarm CCTV System

POSTED: MAY 21, 2006Cameras in the Hallways

May 11, 2006

Reprinted with the permission of Leader Courier

Four months after their installation, the Dakota Valley School District is so pleased with the performance of their security camera system that they are making plans to expand the program to all areas of the three school buildings.

Dakota Valley is the third Union County school district to receive Homeland Security grant funds to install a security camera system.

According to Superintendent Al Leber, Dakota Valley joined several other Sioux City metro schools seven years ago on al collective grant to obtain security cameras for their facilities. The funding for the grant did not come about, and most of the schools went their own way over the years to seek funding.

After 9/11 and the creation of the federal Homeland Security Administration, Union County Public Works and Homeland Security Director Raymond Roggow was able to secure federal funding for security cameras for the county’s four school districts plus the Aspire High program in Beresford.

A total of $15,000 was allocated each year for a school district, which could then add additional equipment as is saw fit. By agreement, Elk Point-Jefferson received the first allocation, followed by Alcester-Hudson, Dakota Valley, Beresford and Aspire High. Thanks to unused funds from other areas of the state, the program to install cameras at the schools has been accomplished more quickly than scheduled.

Dakota Valley received its grant funds in the fall of 2005 and contracted with Midwest Alarm of Sioux City for the installation of. A Dakota Valley resident and Midwest Alarm representative, assisted school staff members and volunteers with the installation of the system. Working nights and weekends, the system was hooked up by the Christmas holiday break and was in operation when school began again in January.

Sixteen cameras were installed around the high school and middle school building – six outside and five in the hallways of each of the two schools, which are actually one building. One of the outside cameras has the ability to scan a wide area and also zoom in on a subject. Total cost of the project including the federal grant, was $17,800.

Leber said the high school-middle school building was selected for installation of the security cameras because of the amount of after-school activities that take place there and due to past incidents of theft and vandalism in the parking lot.

In at least three instances over the past semester, the cameras have been used to prove the guilt or innocence of a theft from a locker, a student altercation and an act of vandalism on a vehicle in the parking lot.

“We had a situation where two students had an altercation,” Leber said of one of the incidents. “We talked to the students and we got two sides to the story – each had their own story as to what happened. Luckily, the altercation occurred in a location that the video did pick up a majority of what happened as they moved down the hallway and we were able to determine from that who the aggressor was in that confrontation.”

The cameras are on 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can store eight to nine days of digital “tape” before starting over. Leber said the tapes are not reviewed on a regular basis, but when needed, such as when a possible incident has occurred and the details need to be confirmed.

The pictures for any of the cameras can be burned onto a CD for future use.

Only selected administrators are allowed to view the cameras and what they record.

“The videos are viewed by the administration and that’s as far as it goes,” said Leber. “We don’t show the videos to anyone else. We talked to our attorney about this when we were installing them and it was recommended that if anyone else wants to see them, they’ll almost have to get a subpoena. Really, we’re not trying to make people jump the hoops, but there is the idea that sometimes the video may have four or five other students also identifiable on these videos and their rights are protected too.”

Since the initial batch of cameras has worked so well, the district is looking into completion of the system at the high school and middle school and installing them at the elementary school. Leber said the greatest cost in the system is the recording device itself, which can handle up to 16 cameras. Since the system already has 16 cameras, another two recorders would be needed.

Leber said the district has allocated $10,000 this year to complete the system in the high school-middle school and would like to set aside around $20,000 next year to put a system in at the elementary school.

“The cameras are a useful tool to help provide safety and security for our building,” said high school principal Jerry Rasmussen. “Just like with any tool, there are limits to their usefulness. We have been able to use them several times since they have been installed and are an additional way to monitor student in the hallways.”

Middle school principal Harlan Halverson echoed those sentiments, saying the cameras have proven beneficial so far in different issues.

Pay-at-the-Pump Skimming: ‘Epidemic’

POSTED: AUG 18, 2011
August 12, 2011 – Tracy Kitten, Managing Editor

From Florida to Texas, more reports of pay-at-the-pump card-skimming scams are pouring in to law enforcement agencies.
On Wednesday, the National Association of Convenience Stores, better known as NACS, issued a statement about skimming trends in Tampa, Fla., saying the theft of debit and credit card numbers at pay-at-the-pump gas terminals has become nearly epidemic. And on Thursday, a detective with the Euless, Texas, Police Department said a months-long investigation into skimming at gas pumps throughout northern Texas has finally come to a close, after local authorities arrested and charged a 51-year-old fraudster for his role in masterminding the scheme.

Back in Florida, police in Hillsborough County have reportedly confiscated four skimming devices from Tampa-area RaceTrac stores this year alone. Again, as has been the case in previous pay-at-the-pump attacks, the fraudsters installed skimming devices inside terminal enclosures, making them undetectable to passers-by. [See More Pay-at-the-Pump Skimming.]

RaceTrac says it has implemented changes that prevent master keys from opening all of its gas-pumps, and the chain adds that it is consistently working with financial institutions and law enforcement to update security measures and systems that can quickly detect suspected card fraud.

Gray Taylor, a security and compliance expert at NACS, says if RaceTrac, a convenience store chain known for its high level of security, could fall victim to a skimming scheme, any operator could be hit.

“RaceTrac is one of those operators that takes security pretty seriously,” Taylor says. “They are one of the most forward-thinking in security. They were one of the first to be PCI compliant, and they aren’t afraid to spend money on security. I guess it just goes to show: You can do everything, but if you forget to change the keylocks on your dispensers, then you can be breached. I’ve just got to believe this is a hole in their security approach.”

Pay-at-the-pump skimming is a well-known problem in Florida, where criminals target summer travelers along interstates and hot-spot destinations. Last year, police in Florida took their awareness campaign against skimming a step further, suggesting consumers avoid using pay-at-the-pump terminals all together and pay inside, with cash. [See Pay-at-the-Pump Card Fraud Revs Up and Pay-At-The-Pump Skimming – a Growing Threat.]

NACS Anti-Skimming Campaign

While pay-at-pump skimming incidents account for a relatively low percentage of card compromises, Taylor says, public awareness and media attention have fueled concerns. And there’s no doubt that the continued use of master keys for access to gas-pump enclosures remains an industry problem.
“There are 900,000 pay-at-the-pumps out there, and, literally, I have four keys in my desk that will open up every dispenser in the United States that has not been upgraded,” Taylor says. “Today, you can buy new dispensers that have unique keys. The problem is doing something with the dispensers that are out there; getting these guys to upgrade.”

But sometimes the considerations and barriers to ensuring pump enclosures have unique keys go beyond the convenience stores, reflecting a need for broader education initiatives.

“I’ve had operators come back to me to say their fire marshals are not allowing them to change the keys. The fire departments want one key that can open all of the enclosures,” Gray says. “I don’t know if that’s been the case in Jacksonville, Fla., but it has elsewhere. NACS can try to educate some of these guys, but it is a challenge. They don’t understand that you don’t need to open the dispenser to turn off the gas. But getting that across to some of these fire departments is challenging.”

NACS also is working to educate gas station operators about that master-key vulnerability, and through a recently launched security campaign that focuses on pay-at-the-pump skimming, Gray says NACS is making headway, albeit it slow. “We’re going to keep pressing, and that’s why we keep putting these skimming updates on our website,” he says. “You’ve got to get out there and learn how to fight this.”

In March, NACS launched the WeCare awareness campaign, which provides decals or tamper-evident labels that retailers can place over gas-pump enclosure access points or card readers. If a label is lifted to insert a skimming device, a “void” message appears on the label, providing a visual alert to store employees. The labels also help assure customers that their card data is secure, and discourage criminals. [See Skimming Concerns? Here’s What You Need to Know.]

Midwest Alarm Unveils Dynamic New Website

POSTED: APR 15, 2006
After extensive planning and development, Midwest Alarm proudly announces the relaunch of midwestalarm.com. The new site design features improved navigation and provides customers with access to valuable information regarding products and services.

“The site redesign reinforces our commitment to providing our customers with tools that will enhance the safety and security of their homes and businesses,” said Larry McMillen, President, Midwest Alarm Company.

New features include:

e-Link – Midwest Alarm is excited to offer customers a new online tool that can provide 24 hour a day, 7 day a week access to information in their security systems, through any internet accesible PC.

Company News and RSS Feed – Customers can now access Midwest Alarm press releases, newsletters, and product information online. In addition, midwestalarm.com now supports RSS feeds for those customers looking for the latest company and industry news delivered directly to a PC.

Midwest Alarm Adds Fire Systems Specialists to Staff

POSTED: APR 11, 2006
Jim Drey has joined Midwest Alarm as a Fire Systems Installation and Sales Specialist. In this position, he will help coordinate the design, installation and sales of all fire systems.

Drey, a native of Iona, South Dakota, brings over 8 years of fire safety system experience to Midwest Alarm, with specialties in installation, service and maintenance. Prior to joining Midwest Alarm, Drey worked with Automatic Building Controls.

Chad Weber has joined Midwest Alarm as an Engineered Systems Technician. In this position, Weber will install fire and security protection solutions, throughout the region.

Weber, a native of Mitchell, South Dakota, comes to Midwest Alarm after 6 years with Automatic Building Controls.

Midwest Alarm Provides Bird’s Eye View for Hockey Team

POSTED: OCT 26, 2005
The Musketeers Staff, along with a few very supportive sponsors, have been hard at work helping make the off ice production for all Musketeer home games better with each game. On Saturday night (10/22/05), they put a microphone on a game night referee, Mike Elder was the first referee to use the microphone, and did an outstanding job in it’s use. “The USHL officiating staff was very supportive of our desire to help bring the fans closer the game.”

The Musketeers also have a 360 degree overhead PTZ camera above the center face off circle. Thanks to Tyler Solma at Midwest Alarm, we can literally see every seat and every portion of the ice with this fantastic camera. Currently it’s being used to support some of our promotions and to pan the rink during intermissions. The fans absolutely love it! During the game it brings a live overhead shot of each face-off, shots of the penalty boxes, team benches, and various other activities throughout the game. As we work to improve the use of this camera into our games, we’ll bring you live shots of the action during the game as well.

Midwest Alarm Company announces the acquisition of A&M Radio security services.

POSTED: OCT 11, 2005
As of September 1, 2005, Midwest Alarm Company based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota has purchased the alarm accounts of A&M Radio of Aberdeen, South Dakota. Midwest Alarm will now be responsible for maintaining the alarm receiving equipment in the Brown County 911 Center. Midwest Alarm will also be responsible for new alarm connections and the maintenance of existing alarm customer emergency call out lists for accounts in Aberdeen and Brookings.

Midwest Alarm has hired Ron Bolduan, a 35 year veteran of A&M Radio, as their representative in Aberdeen and Brookings. Ron can be contacted at 800-303-1709.

“We are committed to continuing the personalized customer service that A&M Radio customers have come to expect, while also providing the community with access to the latest technologies to protect their homes and businesses”, says Larry McMillen, President, Midwest Alarm Company.

Founded in 1967, Midwest Alarm is a genuine South Dakota success story that has grown into one of the top alarm companies in the nation. Midwest Alarm designs, installs, monitors and services security solutions in homes and businesses throughout the region. Midwest Alarm provides thousands of clients with the most advanced burglar and fire alarm systems, closed circuit TV, access control, process and environmental monitoring systems.